• Priests, Martyrs and Mystic Nun Proclaimed New Catholic Saints

  Pope Francis declared two martyrs, four priests and a mystic nun saints of the Catholic church on Sunday, saying they all had a "generous and steadfast heart".

  

• Louisiana Attorney General Wins Court Victory in Fight Against Gay Rights Order

  Louisiana's attorney general said he got legal clearance on Monday to keep blocking a measure protecting gay and transgender workers in the state, one of a growing list of disputes over LGBT rights heating up across the south.

  

• Damascus, Allies See Risks in Mosul Campaign

  The Syrian army and its allies see a risk that Islamic State will regroup in eastern Syria as it is forced from the Iraqi city of Mosul in a U.S.-backed operation, posing new risks for President Bashar al-Assad.

  

• Iraq's Traumatized Minorities: a Test of Unity After Mosul Offensive

  Behnam Abboush won't feel any safer if Iraqi forces drive Islamic State out of their stronghold of Mosul. That's why he and 300 other Assyrian Christians in the paramilitary force under his command are taking matters into their own hands.

  

• Iraq Launches Mosul Offensive to Drive Out Islamic State

  Iraqi government forces launched a U.S.-backed offensive on Monday to drive Islamic State from the northern city of Mosul, a high-stakes battle to retake the militants' last major stronghold in the country.